The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension (SMP) by reason of the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for SMP based on his visual acuity, mental/physical incapacity to be in a nursing home, or inability to feed himself, dress himself, or attend to his daily needs.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's vision is not impaired to the point that he requires aid and attendance. He does not require assistance with personal hygiene, dressing, food preparation, or keeping himself clean. Additionally, he can manage his daily environment without assistance.
- Claimed conditions
- Colon cancer
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 24, 2014
- Citation
- 1442798
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1442798.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected colon cancer disability, finding that there is inadequate evidence to support a compensable rating prior to March 23, 2021 and no increase in rating thereafter.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for colon cancer has been granted due to new and relevant evidence received since the previous denial. The Board finds that the Veteran's current disability is a condition that had its onset during his military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of colon cancer is granted, with a new rating of 30 percent effective December 1, 2024. The claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for two painful scars and for compensable ratings for four remaining scars are denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the cause of the Veteran's death, specifically concerning his bladder cancer and other cancers allegedly caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
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